Lewis Cope’s Strictly Journey: Judge Critiques, Song Choice Backlash, and Support Amid Musicals Week Drama

Quick Read

• Lewis Cope and Katya Jones performed a salsa to West Side Story, earning 35 points and joint second place.
• Judges gave mixed feedback, with criticism over performance and praise for physicality.
• Song choice was widely criticized by fans as unsuitable for salsa.
• Results leaked online before the broadcast, causing outrage among viewers.
• Lewis received strong support from his girlfriend and fans, despite disappointment.

Strictly Musicals Week: Tension, Leaks, and Lewis Cope’s Emotional Performance

Saturday night on BBC One’s Strictly Come Dancing was anything but ordinary. Musicals Week brought five couples to the floor, each hoping to secure a coveted spot in next week’s semi-final. The leaderboard was so tight, viewers could practically feel the tension radiating through their screens.

But before the results show could air on Sunday, the outcome of the public vote surfaced online—a familiar frustration for Strictly fans. For years, the show’s pre-recorded results format has made it vulnerable to spoilers, but this time, the leak sent shockwaves, leaving fans fuming at what some called the ‘most shocking elimination ever.’ GB News reported the outrage, capturing the mood among viewers who felt robbed of a fair competition.

Lewis Cope and Katya Jones: Mixed Reception and Song Choice Debate

Among the remaining couples, Lewis Cope—a familiar face to many from ITV’s Emmerdale—was paired with professional dancer Katya Jones. Their salsa to ‘Dance At The Gym’ from West Side Story landed them 35 points, tying them with two other couples for second place. But the performance was met with divided opinions.

Judge Shirley Ballas didn’t hold back, telling Lewis, “it wasn’t your best dance, for me, by far.” Craig Revel Horwood echoed that sentiment, noting, “We have seen you dance better.” The criticism was gentle but pointed, suggesting that the performance lacked the spark seen in previous weeks. Anton Du Beke, however, highlighted Lewis’s “incredible physicality,” offering a more supportive take: “All in all… I rather liked it.”

As Lewis and Katya joined Claudia Winkleman in the Clauditorium—a backstage haven where contestants decompress—Lewis’s disappointment was palpable. He quipped about loving the dance until hearing the judges’ feedback. Katya, ever the optimist, shared her life motto: “More is more.” She praised Lewis for matching her energy, a rare feat in her career, before they declared together, “More is more!”

Fan Reactions: Outrage, Song Choice Backlash, and Online Support

Outside the studio, viewers took to social media to vent their frustrations. Many felt Lewis and Katya were let down by the song selection. The salsa, set to a segment from West Side Story, was widely criticized as “a horrible song for a salsa,” with comments like “Lewis and Katya were done dirty by the producers” and “terrible song choice for a salsa for an overdone musical.” The consensus? The music simply didn’t fit the style, making it difficult for Lewis to shine.

Some fans went further, suggesting the couple had been “thrown under the bus,” a phrase repeated across X (formerly Twitter). The sentiment resonated with those who believed the show’s producers, rather than the dancers themselves, were to blame for the underwhelming result. The hashtag #StrictlyComeDancing buzzed with disappointment—and, crucially, support.

One voice stood out amid the storm: Lewis’s girlfriend, Rachel Lopez. She posted a heartfelt message on social media, declaring, “I am so beyond proud of you. Your strength is like nothing I have ever seen. So beautiful inside and out.” The words seemed to reach Lewis just when he needed them most, a reminder that while judges and viewers might debate scores and song choices, the human stories behind the glitter remain the heart of Strictly.

Leaderboard Drama and the Semi-Final Stakes

Musicals Week saw Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin top the leaderboard with a perfect score of 40 for their Charleston, leaving Lewis, Balvinder Sopal, George Clarke, and their respective partners clustered just behind. Karen Carney and Carlos Gu ended up at the bottom, their Samba earning 34 points. With such a narrow spread, every detail—from choreography to music—seemed amplified, and every critique cut a little deeper.

The leaked results ignited a firestorm, with fans expressing disbelief and calling the elimination a “robbery.” While GB News and other outlets refrained from revealing the eliminated couple, social media spoilers circulated widely, threatening to overshadow the excitement of the semi-final. For Lewis and Katya, the drama was both public and personal, as they navigated not only judge feedback but also the unpredictable currents of public opinion.

The Bigger Picture: Fairness, Format, and Farewells

Strictly’s format—filming the results after the live show but airing them later—has long been a double-edged sword. It builds suspense but also leaves the show vulnerable to leaks. The outrage this week was especially pronounced, with some fans declaring they’d lost interest in the series altogether. “For the first time as a super fan, after the Strictly Spoiler, I can honestly say, I have no further interest in this series,” one wrote.

Next weekend, four couples will compete in the penultimate episode, vying for a place in the grand finale. Due to injuries, only three couples will make it to the final—heightening the stakes for everyone involved. It will also mark the farewell for longtime hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, adding another emotional layer to an already charged season.

Through it all, Lewis Cope’s journey stands out as a microcosm of the show’s enduring appeal: the blend of glamour, grit, and vulnerability that keeps millions tuning in, week after week.

Assessment: The facts reveal a competition at a crossroads, where production decisions and song choices can make or break a performer’s chances. Lewis Cope’s experience on Musicals Week—marked by judge critiques, divisive song selection, and the warmth of personal support—highlights the fragile balance between entertainment and authenticity. Strictly’s format invites drama, but it’s the human responses to adversity, disappointment, and celebration that truly define its legacy.